Gradometer.



G. O. GRIFFITH.

GRADOMETBR.

APPLICATION FILED D2019. 1911.

Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

. E'vwantoz GE U #75 [Z Gr/W/ffi mu tuna v GEORGE O. GRIFFITH, OF EAST AUBURN. \LIFORNIA.

GRADOMETER.

Application filed December 19, 1911.

Specification of Letters Patent.

l 'atentetl Mar. 11,1913.

Serial No. 666.690.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. Gunner: (.l. Gmrrrru. a citizen of the Inited States. residing'at. East Auburn. in the countvof Placer and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gradometers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements in gradometers and has particular application to a measuring instrument of the class described adapted to be attached to an automobile, or other vehicle for measuring the grades of hills or other elevations along which the vehicle may travel.

In carrying out my invention. it is my purpose to provide a simple, compact, reliable and eflicient measuring instrument which is of such a compact form that it may be readily and conveniently attached to the dash board of the vehicle and which, furthermore, will enable the driver to make accurate readings of the grade over which he is traveling, so that he may ascertain at a glance the degree of the grade either in traveling up or down hill.

With the above-recited objects, and others of a similar nature in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, set forth in and falling Within the scope of the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view with the top of the casing removed. Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation with the side of the casing removed. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in detail, the numeral 1 indicates a casing of any suitable and approved construction, the front of which is provided with a measuring dial 2 having a suitable grade scale marked thereon.

In the present instance, the level mark or neutral point is indicated at zero, while one side of the marking scale is provided to indicate up-grade and the opposite side is similarly marked to indicate downgrade.

The numeral 4 indicates a pointer adapt ed to move freely and easily over the dial and occupying a neutral zero position when the vehicle is on the level. This pointer is secured to one end of the main shaft .5 ex- .tcnding through the casing fl'iLlll "the front to the rear thereof. said shaft heing, rcvolu hly 'n'iouuted in the casing so as hi turn freely. ('arricd h the main shaft 5 is a bcvelcdgcur' t; ineshingwith the relatively large bevelgt-ar T carried by the shaft 8. said shaft being rigidly connected to the side of the casing while the large gear 7 is free to rotate upon the end of the shaft. The numeral 9 indicates a weight somewhat in the nature of plumb weightwhich is connected to the back of the large gear 7 as at 10 so that the force of gravity normally holds said weight in a perpendicular position. The shaft 4 is also provided with a small gear 11 meshing with the pinion 12 carried by the stud shaft 13 mounted in the back of the casing. a small fan 14 being connected to the pinion. This fan pinion and gear wheel is employed as a reg ..'lator, that is, to cause the indicator to turn regularly but steadily and to avoid the latter being subjected to jars and shocks which the vehicle would encounter in traveling over.

rough places.

From the above description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be apparent that the casing is secured to the dash board of the vehiclewith the indicator facing the operator. As the vehicle travels tip-grade the weight swinging off center turns the larger-gear wheel 7 which, in turn. operates the bevel gear on the shaft or moves the indicator point over the scale marked up-grade to indicate the degree of grade over which the vehicle is traveling. Similarly, if the vehicle is traveling downgrade, the weight swings in the opposite direction and the indicator point is moved over the scale marked down-grade to an extent indicative of the pitch of such grade. that the regulating device consisting of the fan, the pinion, and the gear on the main shaft meshing with the pinion acts to prevent the regulator jumping or moving suddenly over the scale. but causes the latter to travel in a regular steady, easy path.

It will be seen that I have provided a type of gradometer which embraces comparatively few parts and those not liable to he injuriously affected by the ordinary and shocks to which the vehicle is subjected in travel. Furthermore, the device forming. as it does, a small compact structure which may be readily attached to the vehicle in It will be noted mechanism or other attachments ordinar' y found upon the dash board and at the same time will be in position readily readable by the driver.

I claim:- 0 A grado'meter' comprising a casm hav- 4 ing a. dial formedon the outer sur ace'of one of'theiwalls thereof, an indicator pointer 1o .movable over saiddial, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing and connected to said pointer, a gear mounted on said shaft,

a second shaft mounted in the casing and secured to one side wall thereof, a gear rotatably tioned shaft, a pendulum weight carried by said second-named gear, and a regulating device comprising a gear upon the firstmentioned shaft, a p nion meshing with said gear; and a fan connected to said-pinc In testimon whereof I affix my signature in presence 0 two witnessesx gl- I GEORGE O: GRIFFITH.

Witnesses: I

JAMES WES'IFALL, V RICHARD SNYDER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner Washington, D. 0.

a; ram.

mounted on the said second 'shaft andmeshing with the gear on the first-men- 

